You are creating a project and find yourself in need of locating that perfect image to make it complete. You search online for hours, find just the right photo only to find you will have to pay a fortune for that one image. You can eliminate all this hassle by heading to istockphoto first.

The first thing you need to do is create a membership account on the iStockphoto home page. Once your account is setup, you select a price plan that suits your needs and your budget. Images, illustrations and video clips are available for purchase on a credit system. Each of these media outputs cost three credits on average. You can pay $33 the credits you need to download one image, illustration or video clip. There is a monthly subscription plan that has two levels of service, essential and signature. The essential plan is $40 per month and grants you access to ten non-signature photos, illustrations or video clips each month. A signature subscription plan is $99 per month and gives you access to the entire iStockphoto library.

Now that your account is open, you are ready to start finding the perfect images you need to complete your latest project. The istockphoto home page features a selection of free products that are currently available. You are free to use as many of these images, videos or illustrations as you would like without having to worry about burning through your monthly download quota. The free items typically appear towards the bottom of the home page.

Right above the free items section are the paid categories that you can select from. Examples of these categories include infographics, business images and background images. There is also a search box available allowing you to find quickly the images, video clips and illustrations of interest to exactly what you have in mind.

Once you have found a photo, video or illustration that works for what you have in mind, you just use the credit system to obtain the item. You can now download the item to your computer where you are free to use it whenever and wherever you like.

When a new project arrives on your desk that needs a perfect photo to go with it, you only visit the iStockphoto website, log into your account and start searching for the next picture, illustration or video clip to compliment your design.

iStock by Getty Images

iStock is owned by Getty images. They are a professional MicroStock agency that does more than just offer photos. In fact, by joining iStockphoto using an iStock promo code, you’ll be eligible to get a lifetime’s worth of free stock media. If you’re anything like me, then you know what an incredible value this is when it comes to your overall marketing strategy.

Free Files Every Week

You heard me right – free files every week. This means no obligation – no buying anything, no signing up for anything – nothing. What can you expect to receive courtesy of iStock, week after week? These free files set the example for the entire iStock library.

Free Photo

Free pictures – that’s the most obvious one, right? Although iStock does not offer free editorial images, they do offer free stock images. Remember that when they offer these images, they are offering the royalty-free license on them. As is the case with many stock photos, free is not necessarily free.

Free Illustration

Illustrations are digital drawings and computer graphics that help enhance your article or blog post. Keep in mind that iStock only accepts the best images from their contributing artists – they have a reputation uphold. In other words, their illustrations have been designed by professional graphic artists and hand-picked to be featured as the free illustration.

Free Video Clip

You didn’t think that iStock was limited to photos and illustrations, right? Did you know that many of the commercials you see on television utilize stock video footage somewhere in their commercial? Where do you think these advertisers get their stock video footage? That’s right – you guessed it – from places like iStock photos.

Free Audio Clip

You know, one of the best ways to establish yourself as an authority in your niche is to diversify how you deliver your information. What does this mean for you? Well, have you ever considered starting a podcast? In the same way that stock illustrations and stock photos can enhance blog posts, stock audio clips can enhance your podcasts and make them more engaging. Use these clips to increase your audience base.

What Can You Use Them for?

There are several more ways you may utilize any of these files for more than just marketing. Creative professionals also use them, such as event photographers who use them in their finished products. Are you a creative professional? You can use them for your blog posts, podcasts and yes – even in your videos. It won’t take long for you to see the value iStock offers simply by becoming a member.